Your airline must rebook you or refund your ticket

When your flight is cancelled, the airline's legal obligation depends on why it happened and where you booked. If the cancellation was the airline's fault — mechanical failure, crew scheduling, maintenance — you have the right to either a rebooking on the next available flight to your destination or a refund of your ticket price. If the cancellation was caused by weather, air traffic control delays, or security issues, the airline must still rebook you, but they are not required to pay compensation beyond that.

The key difference is this: you always get rebooked or refunded. You do not have to accept a voucher or travel credit if you want cash back. Write down the cancellation reason the airline gives you — this matters later if you need to dispute what they owe you.

Key Takeaways

  • Demand either a rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund of your ticket price within 24 hours of learning about the cancellation.
  • If the airline caused the cancellation, you may also be owed compensation of $400 to $800 depending on how long your delay becomes, but only if you were booked on a U.S. flight or flying into the U.S.
  • Do not accept a voucher or travel credit unless you want one — you have the right to a cash refund instead.
  • Get the cancellation reason in writing from the airline, because you will need it to prove whether compensation applies.
  • If the airline refuses to rebook you or refund you within a reasonable time, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

How to request a rebooking or refund when ready

Contact the airline as soon as you learn the flight is cancelled. Do this by phone, not email — phone gets you an answer the same day. Have your confirmation number ready. Tell the agent you want either a rebooking on the next available flight to your destination or a refund of your full ticket price. Be specific: say "I want a refund" or "I want to be rebooked," not both at once.

If the next flight is more than three hours after your original departure time, the airline must also cover meals and lodging while you wait. If you are stranded overnight, they must pay for a hotel room. Keep all receipts — you can submit them to the airline for reimbursement later if they do not pay upfront.

If the airline books you on a flight with a different carrier, that is legal. If they book you on a flight that arrives more than three hours late, you still have the right to refuse it and demand a refund instead. You do not have to accept a later arrival just because the airline found you a seat.

Understanding compensation for airline-caused cancellations

If the airline caused the cancellation and you end up arriving at your destination more than three hours late, you may be owed compensation under U.S. Department of Transportation rules. The amount depends on the flight distance and how late you arrive. For flights under 250 miles, compensation is $400. For flights 250 to 1,000 miles, it is $400. For flights over 1,000 miles, it is $800. This applies only to flights operated by U.S. airlines or foreign airlines flying into the U.S.

The airline does not automatically pay this. You have to request it. After the airline rebooks you or refunds you, send a written demand for compensation to their customer service department. Include your confirmation number, the original flight details, the cancellation reason, and proof of when you actually arrived. The airline has 30 days to respond.

Weather, air traffic control delays, and security issues do not trigger compensation, even though the airline still must rebook you. Mechanical failure, crew problems, and scheduling issues do. If the airline tells you the reason was weather but you suspect otherwise, ask for written documentation. You can also check weather records for your airport on the day of the cancellation.

What to do if the airline will not rebook or refund you

Some airlines delay rebooking or refuse to refund, hoping you will accept a voucher instead. You have the right to insist on a refund. If the airline refuses after you ask in writing, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You can file online at transportation.gov or by mail. Include your confirmation number, the cancellation reason, the date you requested the refund, and any written responses from the airline.

The DOT does not process refunds itself, but complaints on file create a record. If many passengers file complaints about the same airline, the DOT investigates. You can also pursue the refund through your credit card company if you paid by card — most will reverse the charge if the airline refuses to refund after a reasonable time.

A reasonable time is usually 7 to 10 days. If the airline has not refunded you within two weeks of your request, escalate to the credit card issuer or file with the DOT.

Rebooking on a different airline or route

The airline must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination, but that flight does not have to be with the same airline. If your original airline has no seats available for several days, they can book you on a competitor's flight at no extra cost to you. This is called an interline agreement, and most major airlines honor it.

You can also ask to be rebooked on a different route if it gets you there sooner. For example, if your direct flight is cancelled and the next direct flight is three days away, you can ask to be rebooked on a connecting flight leaving tomorrow. The airline must agree if it reaches your destination within a reasonable time.

If you refuse the rebooking the airline offers and book your own flight instead, the airline will not reimburse you unless you first gave them a chance to rebook you and they refused or offered only flights days later. Always let the airline make an offer before you buy your own ticket.

Handling refunds for paid add-ons and extras

If you paid extra for seat selection, baggage fees, or other add-ons, those charges should be refunded along with your ticket price. If the airline refunds only the base fare and keeps the add-on fees, contact them and ask for the full amount back. Most airlines will refund add-ons without argument if you ask within 30 days.

If you purchased trip insurance or a cancellation waiver through a third party, check your policy. Some policies cover airline cancellations and will reimburse you even if the airline does not. Others cover only specific reasons like illness or death in the family. Read your policy documents to see what is covered.

Refunds to your original payment method usually take 5 to 10 business days. If you do not see the refund within two weeks, contact your bank or credit card company and ask them to trace it. Provide them with the airline's confirmation that the refund was issued.

Protecting yourself for future flights

Cancellations are unpredictable, but you can reduce the impact. Book flights with at least two hours between your arrival and any connecting flight — this gives you a buffer if your first flight is delayed or cancelled. Avoid the last flight of the day, because if it cancels, you have no backup flight until the next morning.

Check your airline's cancellation policy before you book. Some airlines are faster at rebooking than others. Read reviews on sites like Skytrax or the DOT's complaint database to see which carriers have the most cancellations and the slowest rebooking times.

Keep your confirmation number and the airline's customer service phone number saved in your phone. When a cancellation happens, you can call when ready instead of searching for the number while stressed. Take a photo of your boarding pass before you go to the airport — if your phone dies, you still have proof of your booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the airline make me take a voucher instead of a refund?

No. You have the right to a cash refund of your ticket price. The airline can offer a voucher, but you can refuse it. If you want the voucher, you can accept it, but you are never required to. Always ask for a refund first.

What if I miss a connection because my first flight was cancelled?

The airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination, even if it means rebooking you on a flight the next day. If you miss a connection because of their cancellation, they must rebook you on the next available flight at no cost. You are also owed meals and lodging if you are stranded overnight.

Do I get compensation if the airline cancels my flight due to weather?

No. Weather is considered an act beyond the airline's control, so compensation does not explore. However, the airline still must rebook you or refund your ticket. You are also owed meals and lodging if the delay is more than three hours.

How long do I have to request a refund after a cancellation?

You should request it when ready, but there is no legal important date. However, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the cancellation happened. Request the refund within 24 hours of learning about the cancellation, and follow up in writing if the airline does not respond within a week.

What if the airline refunded me but then charged me again by mistake?

Contact the airline's customer service and ask them to reverse the duplicate charge. If they refuse, dispute the charge with your credit card company. Provide them with proof of the original refund and the duplicate charge. The credit card company will investigate and reverse it if you are right.